Are you a musician looking to build your confidence by attending open mic nights and getting some real stage time? Open mic nights are absolutely one of the best ways to do it.
There’s something about performing live that you just can’t replicate in your bedroom or practice room - the nerves, the connection with an audience, the immediate feedback. It’s where you learn what actually works.
Manchester has always been a city that supports emerging talent, and the open mic scene here is thriving. Whether you’re a singer-songwriter testing out new material, a rapper looking to sharpen your flow, a producer wanting to DJ, or a comedian trying out new bits, there’s a stage waiting for you.
So, let’s break down the best open mic nights across Greater Manchester so that you can find the right stage for your sound.
Best open mic nights in the City Centre
The Whiskey Jar
If you’re looking for a classic open mic experience in the heart of Manchester, The Whiskey Jar is a solid choice. This venue has built a reputation for welcoming musicians of all levels, and the atmosphere is supportive rather than intimidating - perfect if you’re just starting out or testing new material.
You have a chance to perform (or watch) every Tuesday and Wednesday night from 7pm.
Flour & Flagan
Located on Grosvenor Street, Flour & Flagon offers a relaxed environment for performers. The venue is open for musicians, poetry, spoken word or more, and the crowd tends to be genuinely there to listen rather than just for a drink, which makes a massive difference when you’re on stage.
You can head over there every Monday from 7:30pm to see a mix of performances.
The Grafton Arms
The Grafton Arms on Grafton Street hosts a regular open mic night that’s become a favourite among Manchester’s music community. What makes this one special is the JAMMIN’ format, which encourages collaboration and spontaneous performances alongside solo acts.
If you thrive on that energy and want to connect with other musicians, this is worth checking out every other Thursday at 7pm.
Stage & Radio
For electronic music producers and DJs, Stage & Radio runs open decks nights that give you access to proper club equipment. This is your chance to test your sets in a real venue environment and scope out the local talent.
If you're studying electronic music production or DJing, this kind of experience is invaluable for understanding how your tracks translate in a live setting.
Free to join and watch, enjoy the open decks night every Tuesday from mid-September to mid-December.
Raise the Bar (RTB) at Aatma
If you’re a rapper, producer, or DJ working in hip-hop, RTB Open Mic is specifically for you. Held at Aatma, this event combines open mic performances with cypher sessions, creating that authentic hip-hop culture where MCs can feed off each other’s energy. Not only that, if you’re a music producer, you can send in your beats to be used for the late-night cypher.
It’s competitive in the best way, with the winner being offered a paid gig at the next RTB event, which takes place on the last Wednesday of every month.
Lions Den
Every Tuesday at 7pm, Lions Den hosts an open mic that’s become a staple in Manchester’s music scene. The consistency of this weekly event means you can build a routine around it, which is crucial for developing your stage presence and confidence over time.
Not only that, but each act will receive a drink on the house and professional performance photos to add to your portfolio.
The Old Pint Pot
Running every two weeks, The Old Pint Pot offers sign-ups from 7:30pm and provides free drinks for all acts, which is a nice touch that shows they value performers.
There are only 12 slots available for performances, so get down there early to sign up or prebook via their Facebook group.
The Albert Club
The Albert Club runs regular open mic nights that attract a diverse range of performers. The venue has a welcoming atmosphere, and the sound system is decent, which means your hard work on your craft will actually be heard properly.
Once a month, you can head over for free to see musicians, poets, and comedians perform, or you can sign up at 7:30pm to participate!
Best open mic nights in Greater Manchester
Haus (Fallowfield)
Located in the heart of student territory, Haus in Fallowfield has built a reputation for supporting emerging artists. The venue understands what it's like to be starting out, and the atmosphere reflects that. You'll find an audience that's genuinely interested in discovering new talent, and the sound setup is professional enough to showcase your work properly.
It's particularly popular with students from nearby music courses, which means you'll be performing alongside people who are just as serious about their craft as you are. You can turn up every Tuesday at 9pm to join in the fun.
Wine and Wallop (Didsbury & Prestwich)
For something a bit different, Wine and Wallop combines open mic performances with a relaxed bar atmosphere. The crowd here tends to be up for discovering new talent. And the vibe is less intimidating than some of the bigger venues.
It's the kind of place where you can ease yourself into performing without the pressure of a packed house scrutinising every note. Perfect for those early performances when you're still finding your feet.
Be sure to follow Lo-Tide on Instagram to keep an eye on the next open mic night.
Corner Lounge (Irlam)
Every Wednesday night, Corner Lounge in Irlam opens its doors to performers of all kinds. This is your chance to showcase your talent, whether you’re a singer, musician, poet, or comedian.
What sets this venue apart is its community feel. It's not in the city centre, which means you get a more intimate crowd and a genuinely supportive environment. If you're looking to build confidence away from the busier Manchester venues, this is an excellent starting point.
The Dog & Partridge (Stockport)
The Dog and Partridge has become a firm favourite in the Greater Manchester open mic scene. The venue has that classic pub atmosphere that makes performing feel natural rather than forced.
For musicians of all genres, every Wednesday from 6:30pm.
Rochdale Empire (Rochdale)
The Rochdale Empire brings a touch of grandeur to the open mic scene. Performing in a proper theatre space, even for an open mic night, is a completely different experience from playing in a pub or bar.
You can turn up every second Tuesday of the month to join in the jam!
Making the most of open mic nights
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Here’s the reality: attending your first open mic night can be nerve-wracking. But here’s what you need to remember - everyone in that room, from the organisers to the other performers, has been in the exact same position as you. The Manchester music scene is built on mutual support and encouragement.
If you’re nervous for your first open mic night, here is our advice:
- Before you perform, attend a few open mic nights as an audience member. Get a feel for the atmosphere, see what kinds of acts do well, and observe how experienced performers handle their stage time. You'll pick up valuable insights that will help when it's your turn.
- Practice your material until you can perform it confidently, even when you're nervous.
- Most open mic nights have limited slots, and it's first-come, first-served. Getting there early also gives you time to introduce yourself to the organisers, set up your equipment, do a quick sound check if possible, and settle your nerves before performing.
- The other performers at open mic nights aren't your competition; they're your community. Introduce yourself, watch their sets, offer genuine compliments, and exchange contact details.
- If the venue allows it, record your sets on your phone, or ask someone to film it for you. Watching yourself perform is one of the fastest ways to identify what's working and what needs improvement.
- Even though these are informal events, treat them as professional opportunities. Show up on time, respect the time limits, thank the organisers and sound engineer, and be courteous to other performers.
The beauty of Manchester's open mic scene is its diversity. Whether you're into acoustic folk, hip-hop, electronic music, comedy, or experimental noise, there's a venue that will welcome you.
What matters most is that you actually do it. That first performance might not be perfect. You might forget lyrics, miss a chord change, or rush through your set because of nerves, but that's completely normal.
The most important thing is that you get on that stage, share your music, and start building the confidence and experience that only comes from performing live.
If you’re considering a music career, dBs Institute of Music can help to develop and fine-tune your musicianship with a variety of courses:
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